Swing spout device for dispensing liquids



Nov. 17, 1942. A. o. BECKMAN SWING SPOUT DEVICE FOR DISPENSING LIQUIDS Filed Dec. 15, 1941 N u v A M m M m 5 mm w N N5 m m M m0 5 Zn T N0 w m T /L H M a R m A u R YR w 5 5 e a 4 5 H 4 A/AA 5 8 7 5 2 a I I 5 lmm 2 w 7/ 5 d 2 Patented Nov. 17, 1942 SWING SPOUT DEVICE LIQUI FOR DISPENSING Arnold 0. Beckman, Altadena, Calif., assignor to National Technical Laboratories. South Pasadena, Calif., a corporation of California Application December 13, 1941, Serial No. 422,860

13 Claims.

modified water, respectively into receptacles disposed side by side. More particularly, the invention relates to a swing spout device associated with a valve means actuated by movement of the swing spout from ,a position above one receptacle to a position above the other receptacle to discharge an unmodified liquid into one receptacle and a modified liquid into the other receptacle.

The invention can best be exemplified by re ering to its application to the problem of washing and sterilizing dishes, eating utensils, glassware, and the like, where a germicide rinse is desirable or made obligatory by statute for disinfecting purposes. Such washing and rinsing is conventionally performed in separate receptacles disposed side by side, typically a divided sink such as is herein exemplified, though it should be clear that the side-by-side receptacles may comprise separate pans in a sink, separate zones of a common container (for example, a pan in a larger receptacle, such as a sink), or any compartments separated by a dividing wall. It should be understood further that the exemplification of the invention with reference to dish washing facilities is without limitation as the device can be used in other capacities for automatically and correctly controlling the discharge of two dissimilar liquids into adjacent zones or receptacles in response to movement of a swing spout. Also, it should be clear that the term swing spout is herein used in a generic sense to include a movable discharge means which can be moved from side to side to control the point of discharge of a liquid.

One of the important objects of the invention lies in the operative association of a swing spout with a two-way valve means to discharge separately from the swing spout an unmodified liquid, such as pure water, and a modified liquid. such as an aqueous germicide solution. The modified and unmodified liquids may be hot or cold or may be the result of blending hot and cold liquids in desirable proportions to obtain intermediate temperatures.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a swing spout in combination with one or more control valves for delivering one or more liquids thereto for subsequent discharge at positions determined by the position of the swing spout.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a dispensing device including a swing spout 55 and a two-way valve in combination with a device for adding a, modifying agent to the liquid in proportioned amount to produce the modified liquid which it is desired to discharge when the swing spout is in one of its positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a swing spout with separate passages for the discharge of modified and unmodified liquids, in combination with a valve means for discharging different liquids respectively through these separate passages in response to a change in position of the swing spout. If a common passage is used for the two liquids and if this passage is maintained full of the liquid last discharged, there is danger of contaminating the first portion of the other liquid by the residual portion of the first liquid. Consequently, uncontaminated bodies of the two liquids cannot be obtained with such a system and, while the degree of contamination is sufiiciently slight to be negligible in certain installations, it is very desirable in other instances to be able to avoid this. Either type of passage means can be employed with the invention but, for the more exacting installations, I prefer to provide separate swing spout passages for the two liquids.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel two-way valve, the movable element of which is operatively connected to a swing spout to control the passage through this swing spout of two liquids.

Still another'object of the invention lies in certain novel features of construction of the valve and its associated equipment.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be made evident to those skilled in the art from the following exemplary description and drawing.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view indicating the mode of application of the invention to the dispensing of pure water and a germicide solutioninto adjacent compartments of a sink;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view partially in section, of the invention taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 5;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the proportioning device of the invention, taken as indicated by the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken as indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a top view, partially in section, taken as indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in horizontal cross section, taken as indicated by theline 6-5 of Figure 2;

Figure '7 is another fragmentary view in horizontal cross section, taken as indicated by the line 1-! of Figure 2; and

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the valve means, taken as indicated by the line 88 of Figure 6.

Referring particularly to Figure 1, the side-byside receptacles therein illustrated comprise compartments l and II of a sink, these compartments being divided by a partition |2 and each being equipped with conventional liquid-retaining and liquid-discharge means, not a part of the present invention. This sink is shown as equipped with a shelf l3, with which is associated a cold water faucet l4 and a hot water faucet |5 connected to respective'supplies and discharging into a common conduit Hi to which, in conventional practice, a swing spout is connected to discharge hot, cold, or blended water into either of the two sinks. The present invention can be substituted for conventional swing spouts and comprises a self-contained swing spout device, indicated generally by the numeral l8, by the use of which conventional equipment can be adapted for automatic supply of hot, cold, or blended water to one sink and a germicide solution to the other sink at any desired temperature.

One manner of attachment of the swingspout device I8 is shown in Figure 2 wherein the conduit l6 provides a neck I9 threaded internally to receive an extension of a stationary member 2|, a shoulder of which abuts against the top of the neck |9 to retain the stationary member in fixed position. The neck I9 is externally threaded to receive a cap 22 for compressing packing or sealing elements 23 to prevent leakage.

The stationary member 2| extends upward and provides at its upper end a stationary valve member 25 of cylindrical shape. In the preferred :two way valve construction indicated generally by the numeral 3|. This body provides a cylindrical cavity in which is secured, by pressing or otherwise, a sleeve '32 which in turn provides a valve chamber 33. This sleeve has'an internal diameter only slightly largerthan the external diameter of the valve member 25 to permit pivoting of the swing spout by relative journalling of the swing spout from the valve member. The preferred means is shown in Figure 2, in which the body '30 is provided with an externallythreaded extension 36 receiving a threaded cap 31. Within this cap 31 is a resilient washer 38 surrounding the stationary member 2|. The lowermost ends of the extension 36 and the sleeve 32 are preferably made flush with each other and with a shoulder 39 of the valve member 25 to provide aligned surfaces against which the washer 38 is compressed by tightening the cap 31.

The stationary member 2| and its associated valve member 25 provide a passageway for the unmodified liquid, such as water received from the conduit l6, upon the opening of one or the other, or both; of the faucets l4, l5. This pas-* sageway includes a vertical passage 40 centrally intersecting a transverse passage 4|.pf the valve member 25, one end of which provides a port positioned for selective communication with ports 44 and 45 formed by the sleeve 32, if used, but otherwise by the body 30 itself. As best shown in Figures 2, 5, 6, and 8, the ports 44 and 45 form a, part of swing spout passages indicated generally by the numerals 41 and 48, to be later described in detail.

It is usually desirable to seal a peripheral zone adjacent the port provided by the transverse passage 4| with respect to the internal wall of the valve chamber 33 which, in this example, comprises the internal wall of the sleeve 32, to prevent any peripheral leakage which might permit liquid to move from the transverse passage 4| to the port of the body 30 not then in communication therewith. The construction shown in Figures 2, 6, and 8 is particularly advantageous in this regard in providing a resilient sealing action. Referring particularly to Figure 8,

the transverse passage 4| slidably receives a J valve element of cylindrical exterior. The right-hand end of this valve member is formed on a radius corresponding to the radius of the valve chamber 33, as shown in Figure 6, to be in surface-to-surface sealing contact therewith. The valve element 50 is preferablyformed of hard rubber or plastic material, such as Bakelite, to prevent scoring, though it may be formed of soft metal, such as brass and the like. A ring 5| formed of soft rubber is disposed adjacent the inner end of the valve element 50 and is compressed in sealing engagement therewith and with the walls of the transverse passage 4| by a metal ring 52 urged resiliently outward by a compression spring 53. This compression spring may abut against a wall of the transverse passage 4| but I prefer to extend this passage com- 5|, and metal ring 52' at the opposite end of movement between the inner surface ofthe sleeve 32 and the external surface of the valve member.

The means for limiting. the angular movement of the swing spout 26 may well comprise a construction such as shown best in Figure 7. A portion of the lower end of. the sleeve 32 is cut away to provide an arcuate space 34 into which extends a stop member 35 suitably secured to the valve'member 25. As the swing spout 26 is pivoted from side to, side, the sleeve 32 moves spout is limited by engagement between the stop ;member 35 and the end walls of the space 34.

Means is provided for preventing withdrawal this passage from the corresponding elements previously described, in which event the spring 53 is compressed'between the rings 52 and 52'.

-Such a'constructlon provides for adequate peeither or both of the faucets |4, |5, a stream of water will move through the conduit l6 and upward through the vertical passage 40, being delivered by the transverse passage 4| selectively to the swing spout passages 41 and 48, depending upon' whether the swing spout is disposed above the compartment or the compartment II. The diameter of the port 54 is less than the peripheral distance between the ports 44 and to provide for shutting off this stream upon movement of the swing spout to a position directly above the partition l2, thereby completely segregating the two liquids discharged by the swing spout,

The swing spout 26 provides passage means communicating with the ports 44 and 45 and provides discharge orifice means through which the liquids discharge. This passage means may comprise a single passage but, as mentioned above, preferably includes separate passages 41 and 48. Likewise, while the discharge orifice means may comprise a single orifice, it is preferred to use separate orifices and 55 for the separate discharge of the liquids. Thus, when the swing spout 26 is moved to its rightward position to discharge into the compartment il, a stream of clear water (hot or cold) flows through aligned ports 54, 45 through passage 48 extending along the swing spout to discharge through the orifice 56 into the compartment ll. Hot water can thus be supplied-to the compartment II and soap added for washing purposes.

When the swing spout 26 is moved to the left (as shown in Figures 1, 2, 5, 6, and 8), the stream is diverted to flow through aligned ports 54, 44 into a portion of the passage 41. This portion is indicated by the numeral 51 in Figures 4, 5, 6, and 8, and the forward end thereof turns upward in the swing spout to communicatewith a pipe 58 suitably sealed with respect to the swing spout, as by gland 59. The upper end of this pipe 58 communicates with a head 68 of a proportioning device 6|, best shown in Figures 2 and,3, a suitable gland 62 being provided for sealing the top of the pipe 58 with respect to the head 60. The liquid flows along a passage 63 of the head 60.

The head 68 provides a bore 64 counter-bored and threaded to receive a gland 65 retaining a. tube 86 in fluid-tight relationship with the head 60. The upper end of the bore 84 is threaded to receive a collar 68 in which is retained a depending glass tube 59 which terminates a distance below the head within the tube viiii. The upper end of the glass tube provides two notches in the plane of Figure 3, and the upper end of the collar 68 is preferably bent inward to cover the upper end of the glass tube, this bent portion fol- The glass tube 69 is of smaller diameter than the bore 64 to provide an annular space 14. As

lowing the depressions formed by the two;

lar 68 andthe glass tube are cemented or otherwise secured together, as by modern methods of welding glass to metals, so that these elements are insertable and removable as a unit.

The degree to which the collar is threaded into the bore 64 determines the amount of restriction in the stream of water which flows from the passage 83 over the top of the collar 68 and thence downward, as indicated by the numeral 10. An adjustable stop, shown as comprising a screw 1|, is preferably provided to limit the inward motion of the collar 68. To lock the collar 58 in a desired position following its engagement with the screw 1|, this screw can be tightened slightly. Alternatively, a screw 12 threaded into the head 60 can be turned to bear against the collar 68,

the liquid moves downward from the lower end of the tube 69, it exerts an aspirating action tending to reduce the pressure in the annular space 14. This reduction in pressure is utilized to draw a modifying agent, such 'as a germicide solution, into the annular space 14 through which it flows in a downward direction to mix with the liquid during its downward advancement through the tube 66. To deliver such disinfecting solution to the annular space 14, I provide an opening 15 communicating with this space and formed by an extension 16, shown best in Figure 2. A glass tube 11 is secured in fluidtight relation with the extension 16 by a gland 18 and is bent. downward to terminate at a position indicated by the numeral 19. A piece of rubber tubing 80 is slipped over this bent tube 11 and provides a resilient joint between this tubing and an intake tube 82 extending downward beneath the surface of a germicide solution retained in a bottle 83 resting in a socket of .the body 30. This bottle is provided with a cap 86 which is rotatable with respectto the rubber tubing 88 for closing the upper end of the body, while allowing sufficient space between the tubing and the opening of the cap 86, through which it extends, to provide a vent.

The pressure in the annular space 14 will be reduced below atmospheric pressure, thus permitting flow of germicide from the bottle 83 upward through the intake tube 82, the rubber tubing 88, the glass tube 11, and the opening 15 into the annular space 14. The'amount of germicide thus delivered will be proportional to the volume of liquid flowing through the glass tube 69 and the concentration of the resulting solution is controlled by a suitable restriction in the germicide supply line. In the embodiment shown, this restriction is provided by the entire length of the intake tube 82, which is preferably formed of glass, having a passage of almost capillary size, indicated by the numeral ,81. The size of this small passage determines the proportion of germicide which is to be added to the water and the concentration of the resulting solution can be changed by substituting tubes 82 having a.

slightly larger or slightly smaller passage 81.

The modified liquid, in this instance the water to which a germicide has been added, moves downward through the tube to the swing spout, the junction being sealed by a gland 88. This liquid enters a passage 89 which, together with the passage portion 51, comprises the swing spout passage 41. Discharge thereof takes place through the orifice 55 into the compartment I0 of the sink.

It will thus be apparent that the operation of the swing spout device of my invention is very simple and foolproof. When the operator desires clear water in the compartment II, he merely moves the swing spout to a position thereabove and opens one or both of the faucets l4, [5. If he desires disinfecting solution for rinsing purposes in the compartment II), he merely turns the swing spout. to its left-hand position, shown in Figure 1. During this movement,rthe flow of clear water stops and the flow of disinfecting solution starts, but the latter takes place only when the orifice 55 is above the compartment l8. correspondingly, there is no contamination of the two liquids in the'compartments l0 and II. If, during the discharge of the disinfectingsolution, the adjustment of the faucets l4, I5 is changed to increase the rateof flow, the concentration of the resulting stream will be maintained constant so that the device will proportion the germicide solution into the stream of water in correct proportion, irrespective of the amount of water delivered to the proportioning means.

It will be apparent that the preferred embodiment of the device includes two flow passages .communicating with a source of unmodified liqthrough and from the discharge orifice means of the swing spout,

It will also be apparent that the invention can be used to direct the flow of modified and unmodified liquids respectively into the two receptacles, irrespective of whether the source of modified liquid comprehends the apparatus herein disclosed for proportioning the modifying agent into the stream during fiow through the swing spout, or whether the modified liquid is drawn from a separate source. The invention comprehends the use of a two-way valve communicating with sources of modified and unmodified liquid, irrespective of whether this valve is on the inlet or exit side of a device used for modifying the liquid and irrespective of whether the device receives or produces the modified liquid.

The invention comprehends a two-way valve cperatively connected to a swing spout to be actuated thereby and associated therewith in such manner that a stream of modified liquid is delivered through the swing spout when in one position, as by being above the compartment l0, and a stream of unmodified or different liquid through the swing spout when in another position, as by'being above the compartment |l,. While the direct connection between the movable element of the two-way valve and the. swing spout is preferred in view of simplification and rouble-free operation, it should be apparent that other less direct operative connections between the two-way valve and the swing spout can be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Likewise, while the preferred embodiment of a two-way valve has been herein shown, it should be apparent that'other forms can be employed and that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device for dispensing modified and un modified liquids from respective sources thereof respectively into receptacles disposed side by side,

a swing spout device, including in combination:'

a swing spout providing. a passage means for dispensing said modified and unmodified liquids; pivot means for mounting said swing spout for movement'thereof from one position in which passage means discharges into the other of said receptacles; and a two-way valve means,actuated by a. pivoting of said swing spout on said pivot means for dispensing unmodified liquid from said source thereof through said passage means into one of said receptacles when said swing spout is in one of said positions and for dispensing modified liquid from said source thereof through said passage means into the other of said receptacles when said swing spout is in the other of said positions.

2. In a device for dispensing modified and unmodified liquids from respective sources thereof respectively into receptacles disposed side by side, a swing spout device, including in combination: a swing spout providing a discharge orifice means; means for mounting said swing spout for movement from one discharge position in which said discharge orifice means is above one of said receptacles into another discharge position in which said discharge orifice means is above the other of said receptacles; anda two-way valve means communicating with said sources of modified and unmodified liquid and operatively connected to said swing spout to discharge selectively modified and unmodified liquid into said receptacles through said discharge orificemeans in response to movement of said swing spout from one discharge position to the other discharge position.

3. In a device for dispensing modified and unmodified liquids from respective sources thereof respectively into receptacles disposed side by side, a swing spout device, including in combination: a two-way valve means movable from one valve position to another and connected to said sources of modified and unmodified liquids; a swing spout providing an orifice means; means for pivoting said swing spout for movement from one discharge position in which saidorifice means is above one of said receptacles into another discharge position in which said orifice means is above the other of said receptacles; and means operatively connecting said swing spout to said two-way valve means to move same from one of said valve positions to the other in response to movement of said swing spout from one of said discharge positions to the other to discharge selectively said modified liquid into one of said receptacles and said unmodified liquid into the other of said receptacles. I

4. In a device for dispensing modified and unmodified liquids respectively into receptacles disposed side by side, a swing spout device, includ ing in combination: a swing spout providing a discharge orifice means; means for pivoting said.

swing spout about a vertical axis to swing between 2, first position in which said. discharge orifice means is above one of said receptacles into a second position in which said discharge orifice means is above the other of said receptacles; walls defining a first fiow passage communicating with a source of unmodified liquid and communicating with said discharge orifice means; walls vdefining a second flow passage communicating with said source of unmodified liquid and communicating with saiddischarge orifice means; means for proportioning a modifying with said first and second fiow passages and.mov able from one valve position to another valve said passage means discharges into one of said position to selectively control'the flow of liquid through said two flow passages; and means for moving said two-way valve from said one valve position to said qther valve position in response to a movement of said swing spout from said first position to said second position.

5. A Combination as defined in claim 2, in which said discharge orificemeans includes two separate discharge orifices for the respective discharge of modified and unmodified liquid, and in which said swing spout provides separate passages for conducting modified and unmodified liquid respectively to said two discharge orifices under the control of said two-way valve means whereby said liquids are discharged respectively into said receptacles for the collection of separated bodies of said liquids therein without contamination through mixing of said liquids following movement of said swing spout from one discharge position to the other.

6. In a device for dispensing modified and unmodified liquids from respective sources thereof respectively into receptacles disposed side by side, a swing spout device, including in combination: a two-way valve means including a stationary member and a movable member joumalled with respect to said stationary member to pivot about a vertical axis; a swing spout fixed to said movable member and providing a discharge orifice means disposed above one of said receptacles when said swing spout is in one position and disposed above the other of said receptacles when said swing spout is in another position; and walls defining passage means associated with said two-way valve means and said swing spout and communicating with said sources of modified and unmodified liquid for respectively delivering unmodified liquid through said discharge orifice means when said. swing spout is in said one position and for delivering modified liquid through said discharge orifice means when said swing spout is in the other of said positions.

' 7. A combination as defined in claim 6, in which said passage means includes a first passage in said stationary member communicating with said source of unmodified liquid, a second passage in said movable member and said swing spout and registrable with said first passage when said swing spout is in said one of said positions to discharge unmodified liquid through said orifice means into one of said receptacles, and a third passage in said movable member and said swing spout and registrable with said first passage when said swing spout is in said other of said positions to discharge liquid through said orifice means into the other of said receptacles, and including means for proportioning a modifying agent into said third passage to produce said modified liquid which is discharged through said orifice means when said swing spout is in said other 01' said positions.

8. In a device for dispensing modified and unmodified liquids respectively into receptacles disposed side by side, a swing spout device, including in combination; a swing spout providing a valve chamber, a discharge orifice means. a first port opening on said valve chamber, a first passage communicating between said first port and said discharge orifice means, a second port opening on said valve chamber, and a second passage communicating between said second port and said discharge orifice means; means for proportioning a modifying agent into liquid flowing as a stream through said second passage; a stationary valve I member extending into said valve chamber to journal said swing spout; walls defining a passageway in said stationary valve member adapted to communicate with a source of said unmodified liquid and providing a discharg port registrable with said first port when said swing spout is in a first position in which said orifice means is disposed above one of said receptacles and registrable with said second port when said swing spout is in a second position in which said orifice means is disposed above the other of said receptacles.

9. A combination as defined in claim 8, including means for preventing withdrawal of said stationary valve member from said valve chamber during swinging of said swing spout from one of said positions to the other.

10. A combination as defined in claim 8, including stop means associated with said swing spout and said stationary valve member for limiting the motion of said swing spout body to an are between said two positions.

11, A combination as defined in claim 8, in which said passageway of said stationary valve member includes a vertical passage communicating with said source of unmodified liquid and an intersecting transverse passage providing said discharge port selectively registrable with said first and second ports. I

12. A combination as defined in claim 8, in which said passageway of said stationary valve member includes a vertical passage communicating with said source of unmodified liquid and an intersecting transverse passage providing said discharge port selectively registrable with said first and second ports, and in which said transverse passage contains a valve element providing said discharge port selectively registrable with said first and second ports and spring means for resiliently moving said valve element into pressural engagement with the wall of said valve chamber.

13. A combination as defined in claim 8, in which said passageway or said stationary valve member includes a vertical passage communicating with said source or unmodified liquid and an intersecting transverse passage Providing said discharge port selectively registrable with said first and second ports, and in which said transverse passage extends completely through said stationary valve chamber and contains two valve elements spaced from each other, one of said valve elements providing said discharge port selectively registrable with said first and second ports, and spring means compressed between said valve elements for resiliently forcing same outward into pressural engagement with opposed portions of the wall of said valve chamber, said vertical passage communicating with the space between said two valve elements.

ARNOID O. BEC'KIIAN. 

